study of classification systems for maxillectomy defects

Maxillectomy is one of the most common procedures performed by oral and maxillofacial / head and neck surgeon. It is usually performed for ablation of maxillary tumors. Various classification systems exist in literature to describe the surgical defect, left behind after maxillectomy. There remains however confusion, in literature, regarding use of correct terminology and description of surgical defect. We performed a comprehensive literature search to identify all classification systems which have been described in the literature. We present a comprehensive review of these classification systems and also describe, based upon our own clinical experience, a simpler way of classifying and describing the Maxillary defects